A Charitable Fundraising Organization

Aegis Foundation Scholarship Application

The Aegis Foundation Scholarships help lower income students obtain a higher education that would otherwise pose a tremendous hardship for that individual or family.

The LGBTQ scholarship awards empower promising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential.

Aegis Scholarship Awards may be applied to tuition, books, fees or dissertation expenses.

Each person who applies for an Aegis Scholarship is evaluated on the totality of their situation. Academic achievement, personal merit, leadership, professional experiences, financial need, marginalization, personal and future goals are all taken into consideration.

Who is Eligible

+ Age 16- 23

+ Maintained a 2.0 average or better

+ High school diploma or GED

+ Entering college or university within their state of residency

+ Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree

+ Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA/Dreamer*

+ Not an Aegis board member or a family member of a board member

Check List – Requirements

+ Completed application

+ Answer essay – see attached

+ Letters of recommendation – All students must submit two letters of recommendation

+ Graduate students, current, and incoming students must submit one academic and one work/volunteer related letter

+ High school students may have one letter from a friend or family member

+ All others: most recent high school, postsecondary or training program attended.

Materials sent by mail only.

Applications will not be considered if they are incomplete, emailed or faxed.

Aegis Foundation

282 11th Ave, #3004
New York, NY 10001

Application Deadline

February 27, 2017

Scholarship Amounts

Range from $1,000 – $10,000

Review Process

The Aegis Scholarship Program makes award decisions each year through a community review process. A committee formed of Aegis board members from across the country reviews all of the applications, discusses them and through consensus, selects scholarship recipients. Aegis Foundation Board of Directors approves the release of funds for the scholarship awards. Decisions are finalized each year no later than June 1. Scholarships checks are issued directly to the recipient’s school.

Each person who applies for an Aegis Scholarship is evaluated on the totality of their situation. Academic achievement, personal merit, leadership, professional experiences, financial need, marginalization, personal and future goals are all taken into consideration.

FAQ’s

Does Aegis encourage graduate and post-graduate students to apply?

Yes. Applicants from all levels of higher education may apply for an Aegis Scholarship Award.

If I am a senior in high school and I do not know where I will be attending college, can I still apply?

Yes, Aegis understands that many applicants will not have finalized plans for their education at the time that they apply. You neither have to be enrolled nor accepted to a particular program/university to apply to be an Aegis Scholar.

I have taken the past several years off to begin my career, but now I am looking to go back to school for a second degree. Is there an age limit to apply to become a Aegis Scholar?

Yes, there is an age limit to be eligible to become an Aegis Scholar. You may apply at any time during either your education or career as long as you plan to be enrolled full-time. The age cut off is 23. Applications are due before your 24th birthday.

If I am planning to complete my degree through an online program, am I eligible to apply for an Aegis Foundation Scholarship?

No, Aegis does not provide support for students who pursue an education or a special program solely online. You may take a combination of both traditional class-room courses and online courses. Aegis believes it is important for Aegis Scholars to be a part of an academic community and interact face-to-face with other students and faculty on a regular basis while earning a degree and representing Aegis.

Do I need to identify within the LGBTQ community to apply?

No, however, we do have a specific scholarship earmarked for LGBTQ individuals. One who receives an LGBTQ Aegis Scholarship Award is expected to be “out” as a person who identifies within the LGBTQ spectrum—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer.

Will I be expected to reveal this identification to the public?

Yes, Aegis posts a picture and short biography of each recipient on Aegis Foundation’s website. Additionally, Aegis Scholars are expected to attend and occasionally speak about their own experience in public settings such as fundraisers and conferences.

I am not sure that I qualify (or identify) as either financially disadvantaged or marginalized, but I am confident that I have many of the other strengths (history of leadership, dedication to a field, etc.). Should I still apply?

Yes, you may qualify and should apply. Aegis’ selection committee weighs all facets of each person’s application. Academic achievement, personal merit, leadership, professional experiences, financial need, marginalization, future and personal goals are all considered. Aegis supports scholars who have a variety of needs and who demonstrate a record of accomplishment and high achievement.

Currently Aegis Scholarship Awards are not limited to only Minnesotans but to scholars who are enrolled within the United States of America.

Does Aegis provide scholarships to citizens of foreign countries?

The application process is open to all college students regardless of citizenship. However, the organization’s scope of support is limited to higher educational pursuits at accredited institutions that are located within the borders of the United States of America.

Does Aegis provide scholarships to undocumented students?

Yes, as stated above regarding international students, Aegis application process is open to all students regardless of citizenship. Undocumented students are eligible and will be reviewed as international students.

If I apply and am not selected as an Aegis Scholar, may I reapply?

Yes, applicants may reapply the following year. Aegis does not keep copies of semifinalist/finalist materials from previous application cycles; thus materials submitted in the past must be resubmitted for consideration.

When I reapply, may I submit my old application?

Currently, this option is not available, so it is important that each returning applicant submit the most current and competitive information possible.

Semifinalist notifications are emailed beginning on March 31, 2015 until April 11, 2015. Please check your email and spam regularly so you do not miss this important notification.

All materials must be sent together in one, large envelope, with your full name and the email address you used to apply on the outside of the envelope without ANY staples. Please do not open any sealed transcripts or recommendation letters. Due to staffing and high volume, no confirmation of materials received will be provided.

We must receive your supplemental materials by March 21, 2015. Materials submitted earlier are most appreciated. Late and/or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Please read through all of the requirements carefully and make sure you have everything correct before submitting.

Mail to:

Finalists will be notified by the end of April 16, 2014 if they have been selected.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

A list of required semifinalist supplemental materials.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS MUST HAVE ALL STAPLES REMOVED. THE APPLICANT’S FULL NAME AND THE EMAIL ADDRESS YOU USED TO SUBMIT YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION MUST BE WRITTEN CLEARLY ON EITHER THE FRONT OR THE BACK OF EVERY PIECE OF PAPER SUBMITTED, INCLUDING THE ENVELOPE THAT CONTAINS ALL OF THE CONTENTS. PLEASE DO NOT OPEN SEALED LETTERS OR TRANSCRIPTS.

Aegis will not return any supplemental material, regardless of whether or not a semifinalist is selected as a finalist, and/or Aegis Scholar. There are no exceptions to this policy.

What happens if I am a semifinalist and my professor has not submitted their recommendation before the supplementary submission deadline?

All accompanying materials for semifinalists must be received by the deadline of April 21, 2017. It is each applicant’s responsibility to follow up with their references and educational institution to insure that all the supplementary documents are received by Point on time.

If I am selected as a semifinalist will Aegis let me know if you received my supplemental materials?

No, semifinalists who wish to receive confirmation of receipt of supplementary application materials should use certified mail.

If I am selected as a semifinalist will Aegis let me know if I need to be part of a phone interview?

Not all semifinalists will receive a phone interview; if you are NOT contacted by May 10 you may assume that you have not been selected for phone interviews and therefore will not be selected as a finalist.

Lastly, Aegis does not provide feedback regarding submitted scholarship applications nor any part of the selections process.

FINALIST INFORMATION

For FINALISTS ONLY:

Aegis personally notifies each finalist by email and/or phone with an invitation to attend an in-person interview with the organization’s Board of Regents and executive management staff. All finalists should save the date and be prepared to submit the final information indicated below to Aegis no later than May 2.

Attending the in-person interview

Each finalist must interview with Aegis’ Board of Directors and select members of the Board of Trustees and executive management staff in person or online.

Interviews are coordinated by Aegis and will take place May 2 Through May 13.

All finalists must also attend the Aegis Finalist Recognition Dinner on TBD. In-person interview times will be determined at a later date.

FINAL ITEMS OF SUBMISSION (BY EMAIL ONLY)

This report is required and may be submitted electronically. It is a governmental document that required by colleges and universities to determine eligibility for need-based financial assistance. Falsifying information on the FAFSA carries a criminal penalty. Please fill out the form thoroughly and accurately. The deadline to submit SAR reports, New Scholar Financial Application, other requested information and a photograph is May 5. Email submissions should be sent to Info@AegisFoundationInc.org with a subject line: FINAL SUBMISSION-SCHOLARSHIP

+ Submit a professional looking photograph (optional)/preferred first name and preferred gender pronoun.

+ School Updates: Please email us if you have received any new acceptances or made a final decision on where you will be attending school in the fall of 2014. If you are still awaiting acceptance, or you have not yet made a final decision, please email your top 2 preferences.

Final scholarship winners will be notified by the end of May 2014.

Aegis Foundation scholarship program prohibits discrimination against and harassment of any applicant for employment because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.